SF State split their doubleheader with Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday, April 19 losing their first game 2-1 before winning their second game 5-2.
Game 1 was a mixed bag for the Gators. Despite only allowing two runs off nine hits, SF State’s offense was lacking, only scoring one run on two hits.
That lone run came from senior first baseman Harley Lopez, who slammed a home run to right field to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning.
“I think it was a second-pitch fastball,” Lopez said. “He just threw it where I was looking and I was quick to swing on it.”
“You go through ruts as a team offensively,” head coach Tony Schifano said after the games. “Sometimes you’ve just got to tip your cap and say ‘the other team is pitching really well.’ I just told the guys between games, ‘you’ve just got to fight. You’ve got to fight for every run, every at-bat, every opportunity you get.’”
The offensive came to life in game 2, as the Gators brought in 5 runs on 11 hits. Senior infielder Collin Gabel led the way, going 3-of-4 with two RBIs.
“I was sitting back on offspeed, knowing lately I haven’t really been hitting the curveball or offspeed,” Gable said after the game. “Sitting, waiting for it, drive it the other way.”
In addition to cheers after his hits, Gabel also earned some chuckles from the crowd whenever his walk-up song played at Maloney Field. He chose the theme song from the popular HBO series “Game of Thrones.”
“Season 8’s coming out soon, or it is out now, so I figured it was pretty cool to do,” Gable said with a smirk. “Love Game of Thrones.”
When asked if he has any predictions about how the beloved TV show, now in its final season, will end, Gabel replied with a hot take.
“Everyone is saying that the Night King is a Targaryen,” Gable said. “ I’m not sure about that. He could be a Stark. At the end, I think either Cersei or the Night King sits on the throne.”
SF State will wrap up its four-game series with the Otters on Saturday, April 20 at noon from Maloney Field. Saturday will also be the Gators’ Vs Cancer day, in which the team has partnered with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Vs. Cancer program to raise funds for local kids with cancer.
